Active Hyde

The swimming baths on Walker Lane was originally called Tameside Leisure Pool, then Hyde Leisure Pool but now it is called Active Hyde being part of the Active Tameside group of sports and leisure facilities.

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Cheshire Country Fire Brigade Fire Hydrant

This Cheshire Country Fire Brigade Fire Hydrant cover is at the junction of Hoviley and Commercial Street just below the bridge over Godley Brook as seen in the photograph posted on Hyde DP Xtra on 26th September.

A contribution to signs, signs.

Pole Bank Pond

On Sunday I posted a photograph of Autumn Shadows at Pole Bank.

Today's photograph shows the pond. Although it is currently covered in duckweed it doesn't seem to be bothering the ducks too much. At the last count there were some seventeen mallards loving the water.

The grounds are in part maintained by a volunteer group, Friends of Pole Park - see their facebook page for news.

A photograph of the willow tree can be found on my photoblog sithenah.

Six further photographs and more information can be found on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and Water World Wednesday.

The Old Dye Works from Clarendon Viaduct

Earlier this month I showed a photograph of the demolition of the dye works viewed from across the other side of the motorway.

This photograph shows the extent of the demolition site from over the top of the Clarendon viaduct.

I posted a photograph of the roofs viewed from the side of the viaduct in April 2007.

Another photograph of part of the demolition site can be seen on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Our World Tuesday and Rubbish Tuesday.

Liberace's Gold Cadillac JAZZ 1

This was one of the vehicles on show at the classic car rally held recently at Ewen Fields in aid of SSAFA a charity that provides practical support and assistance to servicemen and women, veterans and their families.

The 1931 Cadillac Fleetwood Drop Head Coupé features 23.75ct gold leaf-clad bodywork, silver external door handles and 24ct gold-plated internal door handles. These embellishments were added during a lavish, three-year project carried out in the 1970s by the then-owner, Jack Smith of Kansas, USA. The gold leaf coachwork is offset by white leather upholstery. The gear lever top used to be gem-studded platinum. Under the bonnet is a 5.7-litre V8 engine, mated to a three-speed manual transmission.

According to a news report in The Telegraph it failed to attract a buyer when put up for auction in September 2013. It now appears to belong to "Mike & Shaun's classics".

Two more photographs can be found on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Monday Mellow Yellows.

Autumn Shadows at Pole Bank

To see and learn more about Pole Bank come back on Wednesday.

A contribution to Scenic Weekends and Shadow Shot Sunday.

Bridge #126

The bridge over the former Godley Junction to Apethorn Railway line, now utilised by the Trans Pennine Trail and National Cycle Network #62, connects Grange Road South with Grange Road North but only for pedestrians.

See a coloured view on Geograph.

A contribution to The Weekend in Black and White.

The overgrown turntable at Godley

This is the site of the former railway turntable on the Godley Junction to Apethorn railway line. The "Cheshire Lines Committee (CLC)" route opened in 1866. Here is where trains heading for Fiddler's Ferry power station via Warrington Arpley would exchange locomotives. The whole point of the railway was to carry Yorkshire coal to Lancashire for burning in one way or another. Originally the trains were steam hauled but after electrification of the Woodhead line in the 1950s the class 76 electric locos would draw the train onto the branch and un-couple before running around and departing; subsequently, a diesel loco would appear and hook-on for the remainder of the trip. Freight services over Woodhead ended in 1981 and this line became redundant. The track was removed and over the years nature has been regaining the ground.

See how it looked in the days of steam on Old Hyde

See how it looked in 2007 on Hyde Daily Photo Volume 1.

See how it looked in 2013 on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Good Fences.

ABC Wednesday: O is for Open All Day

"Open All Day" says the signage on The Albion at the top of John Street. The Cotton Bale (a Wetherspoons pub) opposite opens at 8 a.m. for breakfast and has tables outside on the street in what is signed as "No Smoking" area.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and signs, signs.

Red Bedford 764 XUT

This 1946 Bedford KU was first registered in Midlothian, Scotland working from a woodyard. It broke down in Manchester in 1972 and sat in Walkers breakers yard in Droylsden until 1986. It was in pieces when bought in the late 90s by A. Houghton and wasn't finally restored until 2010.

It was one of the vehicles on show at the classic car rally held recently at Ewen Fields in aid of SSAFA, a charity that provides practical support and assistance to servicemen and women, veterans and their families.

A contribution to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.

Lady Lavender's New Look

When I first posted a view of Lady Lavender's tearooms in February 2013 a few people commented that the outside didn't exactly proclaim it was a café.

Well look at it now!

A contribution to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors.

A pack of pouncing, pecking pigeons

I was sitting on a bench in the Civic Square when someone either dropped or threw down a bit of sandwich.

Immediately a pack of pigeons descended and pounced on the offering.

However it was a starling that was first to break out of the pack with a titbit in its beak.

A contribution to
Saturday Critters;
I'd rather b birdin;
Camera Critters.

A strange angle of reflection

This week's contribution to Weekend Reflections poses a strange question - and no I don't know the answer.

I was standing by the side of the NatWest bank on Market Street close to the cash dispenser (a.k.a. ATMS, hole-in-the-wall) and shooting up the street. A woman walked past me just as I was taking the photograph.

What seems strange to me though is that I have captured a reflection of the back of her head but surely that would happen if she was behind me but in fact she is in front of me.

I thought I knew about geometry and angles but now I'm not so sure. Maybe the metal-work around the ATM doesn't reflect in the same way an ordinary mirror does.

Moon over Henry Street

The moon in the afternoon.

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Painted Milepost at Swains Valley

I showed you the Sustrans milepost on National Cycle Network Route #62 and Trans Pennine Trail at Swains Valley shortly after it was erected in May 2014.

This is how it looks now that it has been painted.

1000 Millennium cast iron mileposts were funded by the Royal Bank of Scotland to mark the creation of the National Cycle Network, and are found along the cycle routes through the UK.

There are four different types of posts, "Fossil Tree" by John Mills, "The Cockerel" by Iain McColl, Rowe Type by Andrew Rowe, and "Tracks" by David Dudgeon. The four artists are from each country of the UK though all posts can be found in all four countries.

For some close-up views see Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to signs, signs.

ABC Wednesday: N is for Nortons and a New shop Next door

Nortons solicitors at 181 Market Street was established in 1882.

Next door on the right at 183 is a new shop called Candy Couture who sell ladies clothes and jewellery including necklaces. I know nothing about them beyond what I've read on their website.

Number 183 was a ladies hairdressers, Katz Cutz, for numerous years. After that it was briefly an equestrian tack shop but now has a new tenant.

Next door on the other side of Nortons is what used to be Bob Butler's vets until his retirement. Someone opened a florists in the premises but it closed after three days and about nine months later the signage disappeared.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday.

Halloween Window at Willow Wood

The Willow Wood Hospice charity shop on Clarendon Place seems to be gearing up for Halloween with its window display.

A contribution to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors and Our World Tuesday.

Dye Works Demolition

The café in Morrison's overlooks the M67 and the ABC Wax premises at Hoviley. Last week I noticed some demolition work being carried out at the old dye works behind it.

Other views of the demolition can be found Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to The Weekend in Black and White.

Behind the Town Hall

The rear of the Town Hall viewed from the Asda car park.

A contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Cockerel sign near Donald Avenue

On Saturday I posted a close-up in black and white and asked who knows what this is?

Most people were puzzled by it but one commentator did recognise it as being on the Trans Pennine Trail and National Cycle Network Route 62.

Several Sustrans Millennium Mileposts have been erected this year on the stretch between Apethorn and Godley. This one near Donald Avenue is of "The Cockerel" design by Iain McColl and has yet to be painted.

A contribution to signs, signs.

ABC Wednesday: M is for Market Street

Market Street at its junction with Union Street.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and Good Fences.

Bridge #43 at Godley Hill

This is the bridge under the Manchester to Glossop railway line at Godley Hill. The road under the line led from Station Road past the Kerry Foods factory to Godley Hall - see how it looked in March 2010

Since the building of the new road Kerry Way, access to Godley Hill from Station Road under this bridge (#43 on the Hadfield and Ardwick Junction line) has been blocked off.

Take a walk under the bridge to see the new road, Godley Hill and its War Memorial by following me to Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.

Blue teapot spread

When we paid our regular visit to Lady Lavender's tea shop last week we were struck by the blue teapot with its cup-cake decoration.

A glass of milk for my son, a cappuccino for my wife, tea for me (note the need for a strainer) and a toasted teacake between us.

You can see some of Clare's cupcakes for sale in the background.

Now stop salivating.

A contribution to Blue Monday.

Bench and dog

A few weeks ago I showed you a cone and broken bench on Hyde Civic Square.

It has since been mended.

In the background a dog awaits its owner outside the HSBC bank.

A contribution to
Saturday Critters;
Camera Critters;
Monday Mellow Yellows.

Weekend in Black and White: Who Knows What This Is?

Thought I'd post a little puzzle today.

I'll reveal its secret later in the week when I might surprise some people although I expect a few might be familiar with it.

Just one clue, it wasn't here this time last year but similar things have been appearing around the country for more than a decade.

A contribution to The Weekend in Black and White.

Update: for the answer see here.

"Improvements" at Hyde Central

When I got off a train from Manchester last Saturday I noticed that the platform on the other side was all fenced off.

According to train operator Northern Rail they will be refurbishing the rear station wall; resurfacing the station concourse; installing improved lighting; resurfacing and improving the drainage in the car park.

More photographs of the work can be found on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Good Fences and Skywatch Friday.

Painted Fossil Tree Milepost

In my post of 17th July 2014 I showed you the "fossil tree" signpost near Stockport Road.

It is one of several erected by Sustrans on the former Godley to Apethorn railway line, now Trans Pennine Trail and National Cycle Network Route 62. 1000 Millennium cast iron mileposts were funded by the Royal Bank of Scotland to mark the creation of the National Cycle Network, and they are now to be found along the cycles routes through the UK.

Since then work has begun on painting the signs. This one probably still has a little more work to be done on it yet.

A contribution to signs, signs.

L is for ladder

A fortnight ago I showed you a view of the roofspace of St George's looking through the walls of the tower from the ringing room. The ringing room is where bell-ringers pull the ropes which hang down from the belfry through the clock room into the ringing room.

A ladder on the wall of the ringing room leads up into the clock room. Getting up there was a movement too far for me I'm afraid.

For a full history of St George's bells, see Old Hyde.

A contribution to ABC Wednesday and the Movement theme at City Daily Photo.